Property Development Scheme
The Property Development Scheme is the framework under which most new residential developments open to non-citizens have been approved since 2015. It replaced the Integrated Resort and Real Estate Schemes for new projects and covers villas, townhouses, apartments and serviced plots within an approved development.
At a glance
| Minimum purchase price | None for the purchase itself. USD 375,000 to qualify for a residence permit |
|---|---|
| Who may buy | Non-citizens, companies, trusts and foundations, with EDB authorisation |
| Residence permit | For the buyer, spouse and dependent children, valid while the property is held, at USD 375,000 and above |
| Registration duty | 5% of the purchase price, paid by the buyer |
| Rental | The owner may let the property |
| Resale | Permitted, to another eligible buyer, with the same authorisation process |
What a PDS development looks like
PDS projects range from a handful of villas on a coastal plot to several hundred apartments in a master-planned estate with shared amenities. The scheme requires the developer to allocate part of the project to social benefit and to meet design and environmental standards, and each project is approved by the EDB before units can be sold to foreigners.
How the purchase proceeds
Reservation with a deposit, the buyer's EDB application for authorisation to acquire, the notarial deed of sale, and registration. Most PDS units are sold off-plan under a VEFA contract, which adds staged payments tied to construction milestones and a completion guarantee from the developer's bank. We act for the buyer alongside the notary, review the developer's standing and guarantee, and manage the EDB application.
Holding through a company or trust
A PDS unit may be held through a Mauritian Domestic Company, with the shares of that company held in trust. This is a structure we set up regularly for families who prefer not to hold real estate personally. The residence permit can be obtained through the structure, subject to the EDB's conditions.
Before you reserve
The buyer's position is decided at signature, not afterwards. If you are looking at a development, speak to us before the reservation deposit is paid and we will tell you what to examine.